Gunpowder tea

Thankfully only bearing a
visual resemblance to the explosive grains, gunpowder tea is a type of
green tea grown in the Zhejiang province located on the eastern coast of
China. The tea derives its name in part from the way the leaves are
each rolled to produce a small pellet. The act of rolling the leaves
helps to keep the tea fresh, retaining its flavour and aroma, and also
helps to physically protect the leaves from damage.

There are a few different
reasons for the origin of this tea's peculiar name- feel free to pick
your favourite from the following. Perhaps the most believable
explanation is the way the tea itself looks- the rolled up leaves form
shiny, grey pellets that might be and perhaps were mistaken for actual
gunpowder by the merchants trading in this particular tea- it is amusing
to think that in a hurry to ward off pirates, tea might have been
loaded in to a cannon*. Another explanation is that as the tea is
brewing, each leaf unfurls, or 'explodes' open. Finally, there is space
for more merry amusement, as it is possible that the term 'gang pao de',
translated as 'freshly brewed', was mistaken for meaning gunpowder.

Depthless hilarity aside,
Gunpowder tea ( being a green tea) is said to possess a number of health
benefits. Early studies have shown some evidence that the tea may help
to reduce the risk of several forms of cancer, heart problems and
alzheimer's disease, though further studies are really needed to provide
conclusive proof.

* Yes, alright, that would
never happen, cargo and gunpowder were stored separately- it was still a
funny thought. If you are into Mr Bean circa 18th century.